Inclusive development of rural Kazakhstan: socio-economic vectors

The socio-economic aspects of the inclusive development of rural areas in the Republic of Kazakhstan are examined, aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for all categories of the rural population, including socially vulnerable groups, while reducing inequality and strengthening socio-cultural equity.

The objective – is to analyze the social challenges of the republic’s rural areas in the context of inclusive transformation and to identify the priorities for the sustainable modernization of rural regions.

Methods – comparative and systems analysis, a review of scientific literature, and statistical data processing were employed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the socio-economic conditions of rural Kazakhstan. Within this framework, indicators of rural employment, income levels, accessibility of social infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as existing state support mechanisms, were examined.

Results – the principal factors constraining inclusive development were identified, including the insufficient level of social and engineering infrastructure, limited access to high-quality socially oriented services, and persistent disparities in the standard of living of rural residents. Particular attention was devoted to evaluating the effectiveness of current government programs aimed at strengthening rural regions. Based on the findings, recommendations were developed for improving public policy, focusing on the development of human capital, increasing access to social and economic opportunities, and supporting the labor force and entrepreneurship in rural areas.

Conclusions – the implementation of effective measures will expand the scale of socio-economic inclusiveness in rural areas, improve the living conditions of the rural population, and create opportunities for balanced regional development. Inclusive development is presented as a mechanism performing an integrative function by ensuring the interconnection between economic efficiency, social equality, and territorial balance. The high significance of this issue for the country as a whole necessitates further scientific research and the development of practical recommendations.

1. Ferdousi, F. & Mahmud, P. (2019). Role of social business in women entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh: Perspectives from Nobin Udyokta projects of Grameen Telecom Trust. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9, 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-019-0184-0 [in English].

2. Tedioli, F. (2025). Exploring Italian agritourism: A model of sustainable rural development. Available at: https://www.tedioli.com/en/italian-agritourism-sustainable-development/?utm_source (date of access: 16.03.2026) [in English].

3. Zanetti, B., Verrascina, M., Licciardo, F. & Gargano, G. (2022). Agritourism and farm diversification in Italy: What have we learned from COVID-19? Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081215 (date of access: 16.03.2026) [in English].

4. Social Entrepreneurship Network in the Baltic Sea Region Smart Villages – A New Approach for Developing Rural Communities (2018). Available at: https://www.socialenterprisebsr.net/2018/11/smart-villages-a-new-approach-for-developing-rural-communities/ (date of access: 16.03.2026) [in English].

5. OECD (2020). Rural Well-being: Geography of Opportunities. Available at: https://www.oecd.org (date of access: 13.04.2026). https://doi.org/10.1787/d25cef80-en [in English].

6. Gómez, J.C. & Andrade, R.F. (2021). Agricultura familiar e circuitos curtos de comercialização: Experiências organizacionais na Colômbia e no Brasil. FAO. Available at: https://www.brasil.un.org/pt-br/152052-cartilha-apresen-ta-recomenda%C3%A7%C3%B5es-para-fortalecer-agricultura-familiar-na-col%C3%B4mbia (date of access: 14.04.2026) [in English].

7. Joint project of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP (2022). Global experience in rural development emphasizes inclusive community participation and infrastructure improvements. Available at: https://www.undp.org/ru/uzbekistan/projects/ustoychivoe-razvitie-selskoy-mestnosti?utm_source (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in English].

8. United Nations (2023). Global Sustainable Development Report 2023. Available at: https://www.sdgs.un.org/gsdr/gsdr2023 (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in English].

9. FAO UNECACC-AA (2019). The role of rural development in achieving the SDGs. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/03/FAO-ending-extreme-rural-poverty-1. pdf (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in English].

10. Ob utverzhdenii Koncepcii inkljuzivnoj politiki v Respublike Kazahstan na 2025–2030 gody [On approval of the Concept of inclusive policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2025–2030] (2024). Available at: https://www.adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/P2400001143 (date of access: 17.03. 2026) [in Russian].

11. Inkljuzivnoe obrazovanie stalo prioritetom gospolitiki v Kazahstane [Inclusive education has become a priority of state policy in Kazakhstan] (2026). Available at: https://www.inbusiness.kz/index.php/ru/last/inklyuzivnoe-obrazovanie-stalo-prioritetom-gospolitiki-v-kazahstane (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in Russian].

12. Realizacija proekta "Auyl – El besigi": vneseny izmenenija [Implementation of the project "Auyl – El besigi": Amendments have been made] (2026). Available at: https://www.zakon.kz/pravo/6515482-realizatsiya-proekta-auyl--el-besg-vneseny-izmeneniya.html (date of access: 06.04.2026) [in Russian].

13. Ob utverzhdenii nacional'nogo proekta "Sil'nye regiony - drajver razvitija strany" [On approval of the national project "Strong regions – the driver of the country's development"] (2023). Available at: https://www.zakon.uchet.kz/rus/history/P2100000729/22.09.2023 (date of access: 06.04.2026) [in Russian].

14. Ob utverzhdenii Koncepcii razvitija agropromyshlennogo kompleksa Respubliki Kazahstan na 2021–2030 gody [On approval of the Concept for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021–2030] (2024). Available at: https://www.zakon.uchet.kz/rus/history/P2100000960/28.02.2024 (date of access: 06.04.2026) [in Russian].

15. Samruk-Kazyna Trust (2024). Godovoj otchet o social'nyh proektah i inkljuzivnyh iniciativah [Annual report on social projects and inclusive initiatives]. Available at: https://www.sk.kz/ar2024/ru/charitable-activities.html (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in Russian].

16. Social'nyj Kodeks Respubliki Kazahstan [Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan] (2024). Available at: https://www.zakon.uchet.kz/rus/docs/K2300000224 (date of access: 17.03.2026) [in Russian]